Category: US Navy Pacific Fleet

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

SINGAPORE. With the dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Carl Brashear (T-AEK 7) in the background, the tone was set for the 22nd change of command ceremony for Commander Logistics Group, Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (CTF-73). Rear Adm. Mark A. Melson bequeathed command of CTF-73 to his successor, Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, August 2, in the Sembawang region of Singapore.

The pier side ceremony commenced on the flight deck of the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) on a warm Friday morning in front of more than 100 guests which included loved ones, diplomats, academics, staffers and senior leaders from allied and partner navies.

U.S. Seventh Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Fred Kacher sailed all the way from East Asia to Southeast Asia to preside as the keynote speaker.

“Despite the relentless pace of operations in the Western Pacific, he [Melson] has never missed a beat to ensure that this group [73] continues to deliver to our fleet, and the American people, and this region,” said Kacher. “And that is a warfighting advantage that we can count on to keep the peace in an incredibly important part of the world”.

As head of CTF-73, Melson’s team led nearly 2,500 replenishments which equated to 400 million gallons of fuel for surface units deployed to the Western Pacific. In addition, his command delivered 70,000 pallets of cargo and nearly 30,000 pallets of ordnance. These efforts were recognized by the U.S. Marine Corps as a 73 staff Marine Officer was named Ammunition Officer of the Year in 2023.

“My focus was to deliver credible and reliable logistics in the maritime domain to ensure our commanders had viable options, whether in a competitive or contested environment” said Melson. “My second priority was to strengthen the bilateral relationship with our host nation Singapore and the multilateral relationships with our regional allies and partners. The trust and cooperation we have built with our Singaporean counterparts from the ministerial level down to the task force level is mission critical in responding to the current and future dynamic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region”.

In attendance for the ceremony were senior members of the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S.-Singapore Embassy, and officers from the navies of Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. They all attended to welcome Cimicata and bid Melson farewell and following seas.

“Mark as you prepare to pass the torch to Rear Admiral Cimicata, you have embodied the lead – drive – fight ethos, and I’m confident Chimi, [Cimicata] that you’re going to keep this winning streak going”, said Kacher.
In his closing remarks, Cimicata said, “Mark, your leadership has set a high standard, and I am privileged to carry forward your legacy. I am also excited to collaborate and work shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies and partners. The synergy of our combined efforts will elevate logistics and sustainment in the maritime domain — ensuring that our forces remain agile, responsive, and resilient in the face of any challenge. I am honored to serve as the new commander, and I look forward to the challenges, relationships and opportunities that lie ahead”.

Cimicata, a native of Rochester, New York and a career Naval Aviator, assumed command as a newly pinned admiral, coming from Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC) in San Diego, California. The emotional ceremony concluded with 15 musicians of the U.S. Seventh Fleet Band playing Anchors Aweigh. Melson, a native of Iowa, will retire in fall 2024, after more than 32 years of service.

“It has been my profound honor to serve as the 21st Commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific and Task Force 73” said Melson. The friendships and partnerships forged during my tenure will remain with me always. I am proud of what we have achieved together”.

For more information on Task Force 73 visit Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/CTF73 (navy.mil) or search COMLOG WESTPAC via DVIDS: DVIDS – Search – COMLOG WESTPAC (dvidshub.net)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

LEGAZPI, Philippines – The Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) humanitarian mission kicked off in Legazpi, Albay, with an opening ceremony at the Legazpi City Expo Center, Aug. 2, 2024.

The ceremony featured guest speakers; the Hon. Oscar Robert H. Cristobal, Vice Mayor of Legazpi, Capt. Daniel Keeler, PP24-2 mission commander, Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Mr. Carlos Ante, Legazpi City Administrator.

“Pacific Partnership in Legazpi promotes strong military and civil partnerships that reinforce mutual understanding and interoperability between the Philippines and U.S., and makes us better equipped to handle various challenges,” said Keeler. “This region is prone to natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Our enhanced cooperation today will make us better prepared tomorrow, should we need to collectively respond in crisis.”

The PP24-2 Philippines mission stop, which runs from Aug. 1 through Aug. 14, will provide tailored medical care focusing on subject-matter exchanges and community education; construction and reconstruction of multiple schoolhouses and knowledge exchanges with exercises covering disaster response and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will perform in a variety of community engagements around the city.

Initially, Pacific Partnership efforts were heavily focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) but has evolved over the years to use an all-hazards approach with expanded lines of effort in medical and public health, engineering, and host nation outreach. Individual projects and events are synchronized with the host nation and are organized according to their requests and needs.

“The City of Legazpi extends its warmest welcomes and unending gratitude to all the participating nations behind the 2024 Pacific Partnership whose contributions have made significant impacts to the people of Legazpi,” said the Hon. Oscar Robert H. Christobal, vice mayor of Legazpi City. “We look forward to our continued partnership. Dios Mabalos!”

Disaster emergencies, both natural and man-made, remain an ever-present threat to life, security, stability, and prosperity throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.

“Through various exchanges and hands-on trainings, this year’s HADR activities are focused on increasing the Urban Search and Rescue capacity by 30 percent and testing the city’s Tsunami Response Plan for the first time,” said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Flor Joseph, PP24-2HADR line of effort lead. “We are thankful to the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for collaborating with us to develop a plan that best serves their community, drawing on their invaluable insights and perspectives about what works best locally.”

Pacific Partnership fosters multilateral cooperation and emphasizes a multinational whole-of-government approach, by planning and executing operations with U.S. and partner nation militaries, interagencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. This subsequently provides a strong foundation of trust and enhances our collective ability to respond in times of crisis.

Born out of the devastation brought by the December 2004 tsunami that swept through parts of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters. Building on the success and goodwill of this operation the U.S. helped spearhead the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006. This mission leveraged partner nation militaries and non-governmental organizations proficiencies to expand disaster relief capacity in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

“On behalf of the U.S. contingency, I thank the Legazpi local government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and people of Legazpi for their heartwarming welcome,” added Keeler. “Their invitation and partnerships are crucial for maintaining peace, security and prosperity in the region. Pacific Partnership harnesses our collective strength to build a resilient future, ensuring that when the earth shakes, we stand firm in our readiness.”

Pacific Partnership, now in its 20th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability capabilities, increase maritime security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership visit, www.clwp.navy.mil/Pacific-Partnership.

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Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

LEGAZPI, Philippines (Aug. 1, 2024) – Tech. Sgt. Jane Cabusao, left, of Kapolei, Hawaii, a member of the Hawaii Air National Guard and Sgt. Conrad Supnet of Whitmore, Hawaii, a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard, demonstrate patient packaging on Philippine Army Pfc. John Mark Quiroz of the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion in a stokes basket during an urban rescue training in support of the humanitarian aid and disaster response line of effort of Pacific Partnership 24-2 at the Legazpi airport in Legazpi, Philippines, Aug. 1, 2024. The training brought U.S. service members together with members of the 505th Search and Rescue Group, Philippine Air Force, the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion of Combat Engineer Regiment of the Philippine Army, Legazpi City officials, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and members of the Bureau of Fire Protection, to share ideas and experiences allowing them to teach and learn from one another. Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan D. McLearnon/Released)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

LEGAZPI, Philippines (Aug. 1, 2024) – Sgt. Conrad Supnet, left, of Whitmore, Hawaii, a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Tech. Sgt. Jane Cabusao of Kapolei, Hawaii, a member of the Hawaii Air National Guard, demonstrate patient packaging on Philippine Army Pfc. John Mark Quiroz of the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion in a stokes basket during an urban rescue training in support of the humanitarian aid and disaster response line of effort of Pacific Partnership 24-2 at the Legazpi airport in Legazpi, Philippines, Aug. 1, 2024. The training brought U.S. service members together with members of the 505th Search and Rescue Group, Philippine Air Force, the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion of Combat Engineer Regiment of the Philippine Army, Legazpi City officials, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and members of the Bureau of Fire Protection, to share ideas and experiences allowing them to teach and learn from one another. Now in its 20th iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan D. McLearnon/Released)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)